FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

VIII

Ka' Mu-Naka Questions Me (Day 36 on Tashoo) (Afternoon)

Ara and I left for the market. As we walked along, Ara continued her language training. Even though I was becoming more proficient in the language of Tashoo, I was still a long way from being fluent enough to know how to respond in any given situation. I am not a speech maker by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to know that I can converse with anyone about anything well enough to make myself understood. As we approached the market place, I noticed a flash of blue-blond hair and lion yellow skin. I quickly turned my head and noticed a woman that looked familiar, although I couldn't place where I knew her from. As a matter of fact, I could only remember meeting three Uany women and none looked like the one I was looking at. She turned toward me and I noticed that she had yellow in blue eyes. I also noticed that she was looking rather nervously at something behind her and walking rather quickly, but, even though I followed her gaze, I didn't know what it was. I knew that all of the Uany in Talo-Vy were slaves, however, I couldn't see who her master or mistress was. Just as we turned, I heard a feminine scream and turned back in the direction I had seen the Uany woman. A large Uany man had grabbed her and was dragging her behind a tree. The man was easily a head taller than me and, perhaps, twice as muscular. In fact, he almost looked like a cartoon version of an overly muscular man. However, despite this fact, I didn't hesitate. Without thinking, or even asking permission, I took off in a dead run toward the two with Ara in hot pursuit calling to me to stop; however, I was on a mission and I wasn't about to be deterred. I tend to run very lightly on my feet, so the Mory nearby didn't realize I had passed by until they saw and heard Ara running after me. When I arrived at the scene of the man attacking the woman, I did my imitation of a defensive back making an open field tackle as I put my shoulder into the side of the man and rolled him off the woman. I rolled the two of us until I was on top of the man. I drew my fist back and, just as he turned his head toward me, it was lights out for him as I hit him in the jaw with all my might. I would have struck him several times if Ara hadn't arrived in time to grab my arm. I turned my head and looked at her, anger written all over my face. Ara said, "Mvilu, what are you doing?" When I realized that it was Ara that had stopped me, I replied, "You know how I feel about a chohachy forcing himself on a nohachy." "We should return to the market before one of the Ka'yno's guards investigates why a Uany slave was running through the market." "We need to make certain that the nohachy is all right." I turned back to where the woman had been when I knocked the man off of her. To my surprise, she was nowhere to be seen. I was shocked to say the least. While I wasn't hoping for, nor expecting, an effluence of thanks and praise for my actions, I thought she would at least have said, "Thank you for saving me from that attacker." Ara took my hand and gently pulled me back toward the main market thoroughfare. The whole time we walked, she quietly admonished me about running away from her unexpectedly. "You must not react that way, Mvilu. If any Mory warrior had seen you running like that, they would have been well within their rights to strike you down as an escaping slave. So, please do not do that again." "I cannot make any promises, TaAra, other than to say that I will do my best to warn you before I leave unexpectedly." After a few moments, Ara and I arrived at Zo-Joola's booth. TaJoola is an older nohachy who is very close to Ara. Ara would speak of TaJoola while we were doing housework and tell me of how TaJoola took her in when her mother had died when Ara was only three years old. Naturally, Ara thought of TaJoola as a surrogate mother and TaJoola always treated Ara as an adopted daughter. "TaJoola," Ara said. "We would like to purchase some vegetables for Rora's nakyvo. Do you have anything that is good but not too expensive?" "Ara," Joola replied. "You know that you can have anything I sell for a good price. Here. Take a few of these Nanaka berries. I know that Rora loves them. You could make him a Nanaka berry pie for the nakymoty. Oh, and here are some Mantooka fruit. Those would go good in your stew, especially if you added one of these Zachynoo." "TaJoola, please do not give these to me. How much are these?" Joola thought for a couple of seconds before she said, "One Shurtan, ten Kandoo." Ara gave Joola a look that can only be described as a, "Don't give me that." kind of look causing Joola to say, "All right. One Shurtan, ten Kandoo a-a-n-n-d make me one of your tapestries. I would like one that will fit on the back of my couch. Is that acceptable?" "Not really. But, we both know I cannot afford all this that you want to give me otherwise. Thank you, TaJoola." Joola looked around before leaning close to Ara's ear and whispering, "I will stop by your home after I close up shop and bring you what I do not sell today. I wish you would let me help you more than you do, Ara. You are like a norothoo to me." "I thank you, TaJoola, but I am a nohachy and a norotha now and I should be taking care of myself and not depending on someone else to take care of me. Once again, thank you, TaJoola. "I will start on the tapestry as soon as Rora leaves after the nakyvo. It should be ready in about three days. Is there anything in particular you want on it?" "No, surprise me." "Once again, I thank you, TaJoola. Come, Mvilu." We took our fruits and Zachynoo root and headed home. As we walked, I looked around for the nojasa with blue-blond hair and lion yellow skin. But, I guess she and her master/mistress were on their way home because I didn't see anything of her as we left the market place.

When we returned home, Ara and I went straight into the kitchen and she started the nakyvo. As is her norm, she refuse to allow me to do anything more than keep her company. As we talked, I wanted to ask her some questions concerning things I had heard said earlier in the day. I didn't know how to broach the subject of my questions so I thought for a couple of seconds before I said, "Ara, may I ask you a few questions?" "Of course, Mvilu. I hope that you know that I will answer all of your questions without reservation." I laughed quietly and said, "Do not say that until you have heard them." She smiled and said, "All right. What are your questions?" I thought for a second and said, "Well, my first question is this. I was just wondering what your relationship to Rora is. You said that there is only one you will ever mate with and that is Rora's chorotha. So, I am confused." "I am sorry, Mvilu. Why are you confused?" "I am confused about your relationship with Rora." "Rora is my chorothoo." I know I looked my confusion as I asked, "What does chorothoo mean?" "Let me see. How I can explain this?" She thought for several seconds and then she held her hands together and started rocking like she was holding a baby. She said, "Rothoo." Okay, now I understood that rothoo means cub or baby. Then she said, "I am my norothoo norothany (mother's daughter). You are your chorothoo norothany (mother's son). Now do you understand?" I see now. Rora is her son, not her husband or mate or whatever they are called here. I smiled, nodded my head and said, "Yes, Ara, I understand." "Good, what is your next question?" "What is the Chorotha-Rothoo Law I heard you mention to the Ka'yno?" "The Chorotha-Rothoo Law, which could be better and more thoroughly explained by the Ka' Mu-Naka, basically says that no rothoo, especially chojasa, may know which warrior chorothamo (fathered) him. Because of this law, chohachy must leave the village of their birth at sexual maturity to prevent inbreeding." I know I looked incredulous at this, but I listened intently as she explained further. "This law was given to us more than twenty-twenty-twenty of twenties years ago. (More than 160,000) "During the time that this law was given, the Mory were severely warlike, infinitely more so than they are now. They made war on the Uany and each other. Eventually, the Mory became in danger of extinction. Therefore, the great prophetess, Zy-Nykoo, said that since there were so few achohachy (males) because of war, we should stop mating for life and mate with as many partners as possible. This is the Mating Law. She said that this would ensure the strength of the Mory people. She also said that, because the arothoo (cubs) would not know which warrior had chorothamo them, the achohachy must leave the village of their birth at puberty to prevent weakening the race. By forcing the achorothoo to leave the village of their birth, it will bring more new blood to each village, thereby strengthening the Mory race. This is the Chorotha-Rothoo Law. It is also said that she hoped that by forcing the achorothoo to leave and find another village to live in, it would cause the Mory to be less likely to wage war against a nearby Mory village for fear of killing the mother and sisters of one of their warriors. It is also said that she said that when the Mory population increases sufficiently, then we could go back to mating for life." Now I understood why Ara didn't want Rora to find out who is father is. Because Rora is Ara's son and, like any good mother, she didn't want to lose her son, nor his father. I said, "Really? That sounds interesting. It sounds like a story that I seem to remember, but it is elusive. I want to say that there is an animal where I am from that does almost the exact same thing, except for the making war part. But, I can't swear to it. Is there more to this law?" "Yes, the part that I fear. The law also says that if a chorothoo discovers, even by accident, who his chorotha is, the two must fight to the death. Since you were listening, you know that I know who Rora's chorotha is. I do not want to see either of them killed. They both mean so much to me." "I understand. You love both of them." Ara paused for a second before answering, "Yes, I do. It is difficult on me sometimes, but I survive. Now, what other questions do you have?" "You mentioned forced mating. What is that?" "Forced mating is one of the few truly capital offenses to the Mory. It is when a warrior forces a nojasa or nohachy to mate with him against her wishes. As you now know, the Mory anohachy choose which warrior she wants to be chorotha of her arothoo. Some anohachy choose several warriors to prevent the possibility of accidentally knowing who the chorotha is. However, sometimes a warrior will be so incensed over being denied the nohachy of his choosing, he will force her to mate with him against her will." "I see. And this battle that you referred to?" "If a warrior is charged with forced mating, the nohachy will choose to have the warrior fight for his life. She may choose any number of warriors to defend her honor. The warriors that defend her honor, fight until they are blooded. The warrior on trial fights for his life. However, at any time the nohachy may stop the fight and accept the advances of the warrior on trial. It is believed that, if the nohachy chooses only a few warriors to defend her honor, no more than three or four, she is testing the warrior's mettle and is looking to see if he is good enough for her. On the other hand, should she choose a great number of warriors, she wants to see the one who defiled her dead." "What if the warrior who fights a few defenders bloods all of them?" "Even though he will not be considered innocent, he is deemed free of the charges, because the Mory believe that the Great Being sides with the winner of any trial by combat." "Well, suppose the warrior succeeds and bloods all the warriors and the nohachy still does not want to have his arothoo?" "Then, he is forced to leave the village with a sentence of death on his head should he ever return." "Wow! I do not believe that where I am from they would allow a chohachy to get away with that crime that easily." Ara smiled and laughed silently at this. "Do you have any more questions?" "Yes, I have two more at this time. I have never learned the meaning of the phrase, 'Chorothoo Novyshoony'." When I said this, Ara's eyes darkened as if I had called her the worst word I could ever call her. Her ears laid back, her fur fluffed out and she exposed her canines in a fierce snarl. I said, "I am sorry, Ara. If I said an offensive phrase, it was out of pure innocence and curiosity." She virtually growled her answer. "What you just said is one of the most offensive phrases you can call a Mory, especially a chohachy. Where did you hear this phrase?" "I heard it the day I arrived in Talo-Vy. I heard the Ka'yno call Rora a 'Chorothoo Novyshoony'. I did not know what the phrase meant at the time, of course, but I could tell from Rora's reaction it was not a compliment. I also believed that the Ka'yno was trying to get Rora to react. I stepped in and stopped Rora from doing something rash. It was right after this that Rora claimed me as his slave." Still slightly upset, as was evidenced by the way she nearly growled her answer, Ara said, "I will have Rora explain the phrase to you." "All right, Ara." Ara asked, "What is your other question, Mvilu?" "I have heard you and numerous others refer to the Great Being. Could you tell me about the Great Being?" "The Great Being? The Great Being is the creator of the world and universe. He created all life on Tashoo." "The Great Being is a Mory then?" Smiling, she said, "Oh, no. No, the Great Being is a Uany." I know I looked how shocked I was. I said, "What do you mean, 'The Great Being is a Uany.'? From the fragmented memories of my past, I seem to recall that societies always say their God looks like them. If the Great Being is a Uany, how did the Mory come to be?" "From the prophecies of the ancient past, the Great Being created the Uany. After many twenties of twenties of years, the Great Being told the Uany to create the Mory." "Why?" "There is no definitive answer to that question. Some say to be companions to the Uany; others say to eliminate the Uany; most say that the Mory were created to give the Uany a reason to continue to exist." "A reason to exist? I do not understand. Why would the Uany need a reason to exist?" "I do not know. It is just an idea of why the Uany would create the Mory." "Does anyone know of a way to find out this information?" "There are rumors of Uany cities far to the north that may have this information. I do not know where they are or even if they exist, but, those are the rumors." "Maybe one day someone will go there and find out if the rumors are true." I heard and felt a slight rumble in my stomach. Smiling sheepishly, I added, "But, it is almost time for the nakyvo. Let us eat."

Just as Ara and I finished preparing the nakyvo, Rora scratched on the door and entered. He greeted his mother and went into the bathroom and cleaned up for the meal. Meals in a Mory household are relatively quiet simply because the Mory warrior is not overly chatty. However, I could normally get Rora to talk using my desire to learn the language of Tashoo as an excuse. He told us how boring guard duty had been so far this day. But, he was glad that it was a normal day. As soon as he finished eating, Rora left to return to his guard duties. All he did before leaving was to give his mother a "kiss" on her cheek and walk out the door. He didn't even say, "So long." to me. But, that is the way with the Mory warrior. They speak no more than is absolutely necessary and very little then.

Shortly after Rora left, perhaps fifteen minutes, someone else scratched on the door. Ara answered the door and, in a shocked voice, said, "Ka' Mu-Naka. Chitekuro. Welcome to my humble home. Please enter and grace us with your presence." When she stepped aside, I saw an obviously older Mory warrior; my guess was that he was in his middle forties. He was not quite as tall as Rora, but he was very distinguished looking. He had a lot of gray in his mane, perhaps ¼ to 1/3 of his mane was gray. He had a gentle strength that comes from one who has seen numerous battles and survived. He didn't look tired as you would expect someone older to look. In his eyes was a brightness that implied a youth that, while no longer there chronologically, was certainly there in spirit. He did have the prevalent scars that almost all Mory warriors seem to have, but the Ka' Mu-Naka's scars were not as noticeable. His vest was only slightly more adorned than Rora's vest and not even close to the Ka'yno's vest in adornment, which told me that the Ka'yno was a very pretentious warrior. He was saying, "Chitekuro, TaAra. I wish my home was as luxurious as yours." He entered and, like a true gentleman, made no requests nor demands for a place to sit.

I should take the time to explain the hierarchy of the Mory. The leader of the village is called the Ka'yno. He is roughly equivalent to the king of a small province or city-state during the medieval times. When a new Ka'yno is "crowned", he is almost always an outsider who has just recently defeated the previous Ka'yno in one-on-one battle. It isn't uncommon for these battles to end in the death of one of the combatants, but it isn't a prerequisite. The challenger almost always brings one or more brothers. These brothers are the princes and they receive their titles based on the location of the vowel in the Mory alphabet, o, a, oo, y, u, e, i, combined with their dominance in the family. Since all of the Ka'yno's brothers normally live in the Suala Ka'ynony, there is rarely a Suala Ka'ynany, for example, but it isn't completely unheard of. Below the Ka'yno and his brothers are the Aka'. Each of the eight Aka' are sub-chiefs and rule each of the eight neighborhoods, called Aka'na. I use the term neighborhood rather loosely, since a Ka'na covers roughly twenty-five square kilometers. On extremely rare occasions, some of these Aka' are as arrogant with the attitude of privilege as any politician on Terra but most are just as humble for the right to serve the residents of their Ka'na. Once appointed to the title of Ka', it was almost impossible to be removed from this position, although I later learned that, if the Ka' committed some kind of crime, the Ka'yno can remove the Ka' and replace him. Therefore, the appointment was all but a lifetime award. All of the Aka' of Talo-Vy were of the humble type, but Ka' Mu-Naka was the epitome.

Ara motioned to a chair and said, "Please, my Ka', sit here in the place of honor." Taking a lower seat, Ka' Mu-Naka said, "I thank you, TaAra, but this chair is fine. I have recently left a meeting with the Ka'yno and he reminded me that you have a relatively new addition to your household, a slave. He also said that, since you live in my Ka'na, I should pay you a visit and meet him." "Yes, my Ka', I do. Rora captured him almost a month ago. The Ka'yno wanted him to be killed, but Rora saved the Uany's life and brought him home to assist me." "TaAra, please, you know you do not have to refer to me by my title. Have I not known you your whole life? Are we not friends? Would you refer to your friends by their full name? So, I beg of you, please, just call me Naka." "Please forgive me, my Ka'. I was just trying to show my slave the proper way to honor and address one of stature such as you." Ka' Mu-Naka smiled and said, "I understand. Please introduce me to your slave." "Yes--TeNaka." Turning to me, Ara motioned me over and said, "Ka' Mu-Naka, I would like to introduce you to my slave, Mvilu Uatusun. Mvilu this is our Ka', Mu-Naka." I said, "Chitekuro, my Lord, Ka' Mu-Naka. How do you do this fine day?" "Chitekuro, Mvilu? I am fine. How are you this day, Mvilu Uatusun?" "Like you, I am fine, my Ka'. If I may, my Lord, like you asked TaAra, you do not have to call me by my full name. You may call me by my given name, Mvilu." "Mvilu? Do you not use your family name first?" "No, my Lord. In my home, uh, village, we give our family name last." "Strange." He smiled a bit at the thought before he continued with, "So, you are the one that has struck great terror into our great Ka'yno." I looked at the Ka' and said, "What do you mean, my Lord? How have I struck terror into his heart? I am a mere Uany slave and I do not remember much of my life before I woke up at the edge of the garden a month ago. Surely, I can do him no harm." "That is not how he sees it, Mvilu. It seems that you have met a number of the prophecies relating to 'The One Who Will Unify'. You suddenly appeared on the edge of our village; there was a bright light the night before you were found; most importantly, you did not speak, nor even understand, the language of Tashoo. He probably fears the prophecy that says 'The One Who Will Unify' will kill the Ka'yno of the village in which he lives. However, like you, at this time, I do not know how you could do him any harm. But, every time he mentioned you, he threw a total fit of anger. He also mentioned that you had interrupted something that he wished to continue." I smiled at the thought of what the Ka'yno was referring. However, before I could reply, My-Ara interrupted, "My Ka', please pardon my interruption. But, would you like some Locheta tea? I have just finished brewing some." "I would be honored to share a cup of Locheta tea with you, and your slave, TaAra." This was an unexpected situation. A Ka' isn't expected to treat any of the general population of a Mory village as an equal and never a slave, even Ara was surprised at what Mu-Naka said. (I could tell by the small gasp that I heard when Ka' Mu-Naka said this.) But, like the wonderful hostess that she is, she took his statement as if it was an everyday occurrence and left to prepare the tea for all of us. While Ara was gone, Mu-Naka looked at me and said, "Are you wondering why I am here, Mvilu?" "I am curious, my Lord, but I thought that when it suited you, you would tell us. However, you did say that the Ka'yno told you to come here and visit." He nodded knowingly and said, "You are wise beyond your years, Mvilu. You are willing to wait until information is shared before you worry about it. That is a good trait and will serve you well." "I would not say I am that wise, my Ka', but I do know that worrying about something that has not occurred is a waste of time and brain cells." He smiled and took a deep breath before continuing, "As I said, the Ka'yno fears you greatly. He wants to know how well you are learning our language. It would seem to me that you have mastered it quite well in the short time that you have been here." I thought to myself, "The Ka'yno already knew I was rather proficient in the Mory language. Why did he tell Ka' Mu-Naka he wanted to know how well I am learning the language?" However, I said, "Well, my mistress is a great teacher. Plus, she has plenty of time to teach me since she rarely leaves the house and, when she does, I accompany her and she teaches me while we walk." About this time, Ara returned with our cups. As she placed his cup before him, Ka' Mu-Naka motioned that she, and I, should sit. Again, this was a change in the normal protocol. While, for the most part, the Aka' of Talo-Vy turned out to be as humble and unassuming as Mu-Naka, they still stood on the normal protocol of treating the residents with respect, but also the tradition of Ka' and resident, which stated that, when a Ka' visits, no one sits in his presence. After we sat, Ka' Mu-Naka looked at both of us and said, "The Ka'yno wants me to question Mvilu, TaAra. I think he hopes to find something to use against him in his trial. But, whatever the reason, I must question him." I said, "Trial? WH--what trial?" Mu-Naka said, "I am sorry, Mvilu. Were you not told? On the day you were captured by Rora and he brought you before the Ka'yno, the Ka'yno gave him and Ara three months to teach you our language. After that time, you are to be brought before the Ishoo'se Aka'ny. They, we, will question you and, if you answer our questions acceptably, we will allow you to continue to live as a slave." "And if I do not answer the questions acceptably?" "The Ishoo'se will condemn you to death. Normally, the Mory do not capture adult Uany and attempt to make them slaves. Adults are considered to be not very tractable and extremely difficult to train as slaves. So, when requirements such as the ones the Ka'yno placed on Rora do not convince the Ishoo'se Aka'ny to spare a slave's life, he is killed immediately." Boy, the Mory are as to the point as they are honest. I said, "So, if the Ishoo'se Aka'ny do not like my responses to their questions and vote for my death, I will not even be allowed to tell TaAra good-bye before I am killed?" "Exactly." I replied, "I understand. Well, in that case, my Lord, please do not hesitate to ask me anything you want to know. I have nothing to hide, probably because I cannot remember a whole lot about my time before I arrived here in Talo-Vy." "The first thing I want to ask you, Mvilu, is this. Why do you call me, 'my Lord'?" "I really do not know, my Lord. Where I am from, that is a title given only to personages of great importance." "Do you intend to address each of the Aka' by that title?" "I most likely will do so, unless I am told of another title they prefer to be called. Why do you ask?" "There is no other title by which any of the Aka' are called. If you choose to call the Aka' by that title, make certain that you explain why you are addressing him in that manner. It may well impress the Aka' enough to weigh a few votes in your favor." "Thank you, my Lord. I will try to remember your suggestion." "The official questioning must begin. My next question for you, Mvilu, is this. How do you like being a slave?" That was a question out of left field. I thought for a second before replying. "The only way I can answer that question, my Lord, is this, no form of slavery is enjoyable." He looked at me questioningly and I continued. "What I mean is, even a benevolent slavery, such as one would experience where the master gives you everything you want and makes no requirements upon you in order for you to receive these things, but still limits the things you are allowed to do, is still slavery. Everyone yearns to be free to do things that he wants to do without fear of someone telling him he is not allowed to do it without someone else's permission. However, that said, the slavery that I am experiencing is not painful and I do not work that hard. So, I guess, all in all, what I am experiencing is acceptable." Mu-Naka seemed genuinely impressed with my answer and explanation. His next question was, "I have heard that you accompany your master on walks through the village when he is not on guard duty. Suppose that, while the two of you were on one of these walks, a marauding band of warriors attacked the village. What would you do?" "I would do what was expected of a slave. If we didn't have time for him to bring me home, I would accompany my master and be of as much service to him as I possibly could be." "Very good. Now suppose during this battle, your master was struck down. What would you do then?" "I know that what I am about to say would most likely be considered dangerous to the Mory, I know that it would be in most societies where slavery is acceptable. But, I would take up his short sword and assist in the defense of the village." He looked mildly shocked. Then, he continued. "If I told you that by doing so you would be signing your own death warrant, would you still do that?" "Without a second thought, my Lord. Talo-Vy is my new home and TaAra and TeRora are my new family. Consequently, I would do anything I could to protect them." "Interesting. You would not attempt to escape?" "My Lord, where would I go? I have little memory of my life before I arrived in Talo-Vy. I do not know where I am from nor where my home is. If I escaped, would I be able to enter into a Mory village and expect to live till sundown? No, I would not. From what I have been told, I could not expect a friendlier reception at a Uany village. So, to answer your question, I would not attempt to escape. As a matter of fact, after the battle, I would return the sword to the nearest Mory warrior and make my way home and tell my mistress the sad news." "If you are allowed to live, would you agree to follow all of the laws of the Mory?" "Would I have a choice, my Lord?" Mu-Naka laughed the deep rumbling laugh that the Mory laugh and said, "No, I suppose you would not." "However, my Lord, I would hope that, considering the fact that I am new among the Mory, it would be taken into account should I inadvertently break one of the lesser known laws. My mistress is teaching the more important laws to me, but, as I said, I may not know when I am accidentally breaking one that few Mory think about." "That is a very good answer. I have a final question. What talents do you have that you could use to improve life here in Talo-Vy for Mory and Uany alike?" "As I said earlier, my Lord, I have little knowledge of my life before I arrived here. However, what knowledge I do have and can use to help everyone here, I would be more than happy to share with the residents of Talo-Vy, as long as it does not give them an undue advantage over their neighbors. Perhaps by the time of my trial in about one hundred days, I will remember a few things that may be of service to the people of Talo-Vy." Mu-Naka sat there for a short while, sipping his tea, looking at me. It seemed for all the world that he was trying to look into my very soul to try to determine my honesty. Without being challenging, I looked back at him and sipped my tea as well. I tried to make him believe that I was no threat to him. I didn't make myself seem to be any larger, nor did I make myself seem smaller than I already am. I wanted him to believe I wasn't a threat to him, the Mory nor Talo-Vy, which I wasn't, but, I also wanted him to understand that I held no fear of him. At the same time, I felt instinctively drawn to this warrior, both spiritually and emotionally. I felt that he and I were of a kindred spirit, honest and open, true to those we care about, and willing to lay down our lives for our friends. He also brought forth emotions that I couldn't explain. All I knew was that he reminded me of someone I could not quite remember, someone older and fatherly to me. The name Jeremy Yamashita came to mind as I looked at him, although I couldn't remember how I knew that name. Finally, after he finished drinking his tea, Mu-Naka stood, looked at Ara and me and said, "Mvilu, you have passed a very important test just now. Did you know that?" "No, I did not, my Lord. May I ask what kind of test it was?" "You showed courage. You were not afraid to look me in the eyes. While you showed the proper amount of subservience expected from a slave, you, nonetheless, refused to back down. I believe it would be a crime to kill you and I shall tell the Ka'yno of my thoughts. I am sure it is not what he wants to hear, but, honesty compels me to report the truth as I believe it. I also believe you would defend Talo-Vy if we needed you to do so. I will include all of this in my report to the Ka'yno. Mvilu, remember, you have less than one hundred days before you are brought before the Aka'. On the Ishoo'se Aka'ny, I have only one vote. You will have to convince five of us that, by allowing you to live, we will be doing the right thing for Talo-Vy. I am not supposed to give you any assistance, but I will tell you that any and all answers given in that vein will weigh mightily with all of the Aka'." "I thank you, my Lord. I will remember this." "I must take my leave of you, TaAra. I appreciate the Locheta tea. As usual, you made it perfectly. I hope to see you again before the trial, Mvilu. I would enjoy speaking with you more on intimate subjects." Ara finally spoke up and said, "I look forward to seeing you in my home again, my Ka'. Please understand that you are always welcome here for a cup of tea and a meal any time you so desire." "I thank you, TaAra. But, I know you barely have enough food to feed you and your chorothoo. Adding a slave was a great burden on you; so, I will not take what little food you have. I assure you that I appreciate the invitation. Perhaps, if Mvilu succeeds in winning the right to live, he will be able to provide you with the meat and food that you are sorely lacking now. I shall ask the Great Being to show him the right way." As is the wont of a Mory warrior, Mu-Naka headed to the door. He stopped just before exiting and motioned to me. I walked to his side and he whispered to me, "Do what you can for the two of them, Mvilu. Perhaps that will also weigh in your favor at your trial. The Mory hold anyone that places a great emphasis on the assistance of anojasa and the elderly in great esteem, even if that one is an enemy." "I will, my Lord. Thank you for any advice you can give me. But, I also assure you that it has been in my plans to do what I can for my master and his norotha since I have learned of their situation." Mu-Naka then surprised me with a simple gesture that surprised both Ara and me and warmed my heart at the same time. He took his right hand, laid it on my right shoulder and looked me in the eye. This is the Mory sign of friendship. Due to the disparity in height, it wasn't easy for him. As a result, he had to tilt his head down at a great angle. This was also a great honor bestowed on me, because one rarely looks directly into the eyes of one that is of higher status in the Mory society. Therefore, I followed suit, placed my right hand on his right shoulder, looked him in the eye, and didn't say anything. He nodded his head, turned, and walked out the door. I turned around and saw Ara staring at me. I said, "What is it, Ara? Did I say or do something wrong?" She almost teared up when she said simply, "No, you did not say nor do anything wrong. You said and did everything right. A Mory warrior rarely shows that sign of friendship to a Uany, and never to a slave. You have impressed the Ka' Mu-Naka immensely. I think good things are going to happen for you."

For a couple of hours after the Ka' Mu-Naka left, Ara and I continued doing the housework. As we worked, Ara and I talked about the day's events. If she said a word that I didn't know the meaning to, she would explain it to me in a way that I would know what she meant. I was quickly learning how to express myself properly in her language and she was properly pleased with my progress. At about the seventh hour, 3:00 Terran time, Ara started preparing the nakymoty. Rora would be heading home within a couple of hours and Ara liked to have the nakymoty ready for her son when he arrived home. Since I was in the kitchen pestering her for something to do, I was asked to get some water for the stew she was going to be preparing. It never ceased to amaze me how many different meals Ara could prepare from a few different vegetables. The biggest variation was in which vegetable was most abundant in the stew. Just as Rora walked through the door, at half past the eighth hour, approximately 5:00 Terran time, Ara was placing the nakymoty on the table. After the nakymoty, Rora and I went outside to enjoy the remaining few minutes of sunlight. I was amazed in the time I had been here how the temperature didn't seem to be hotter or cooler than the day I arrived. In fact, the only major temperature change I had noticed was from sunrise to sunset as it got warmer throughout the day, but the temperature change throughout the day was a maximum of 5 degrees Celsius. As usual there was a slight breeze from the river to keep the temperature tolerable and prevent the air from stagnating. As we sat on the bench that was outside of the door, I was thinking about something that Ara had said to me earlier in the day. I turned to Rora and said, "TeRora, could you explain something to me?" He turned to me and asked, "I do not see why I could not help you. I guess it is something that Norotha cannot tell you. What do you want to know?" "I would like for you to tell me what a phrase means. The phrase is 'Novyshoony Chorothoo'." Rora reacted the same way that Ara had when I asked her the meaning. In an extremely level and calm voice, he said, "You remember the Ka'yno calling me that the day I took you before him?" "Yes, I do, TeRora. I asked TaAra what it meant. She said she would have you tell me. But, I thought that since we are out here alone, I would go ahead and ask. I found out what chorothoo means, but I do not know the other word." Rora thought for a second and said, "A Novyshoo is a nohachy that has sexual relations with any chohachy that will provide her with money or anything else that she wants or needs. She is not wanting to have arothoo with the warrior, though. In fact, having arothoo is the last thing she wants, although she accepts it as a possibility. Novyshoo is considered the ultimate insult to any Mory nohachy. As you know, the suffix -ny makes a word possessive. Therefore, the Ka'yno was saying that I was the chorothoo of a novyshoo. I am sorry that you had to hear that phrase used on anyone, but most especially me." I looked at Rora somberly as I replied, "Now I know why you went for your sword that day. But, I also am glad that I stopped you. I also understand why TaAra got so upset when she heard me say it." Rora laughed and said, "I am sure you are glad you stopped me in more ways than one." "Why is that, TeRora?" "Because the Ka'yno would have had you killed immediately after he had killed me." "In that case, I am extremely glad I stopped you." I laughed. "Anyway, I guess that being the chorothoo of a novyshoo would be the ultimate insult to a Mory warrior." "Most assuredly." He replied. "Most assuredly. If you want to make a Mory warrior killing mad, just tell him his norotha not only does not know who his chorotha is, but she will mate with any warrior no matter his status so long as he will provide her with material things." I asked, "But, is that not the way it is supposed to be, I mean, the not knowing who the chorotha of the arothoo is?" "Yes, but, most anohachy do know who the chorotha of her arothoo is. After all, the anohachy do make the decision of with whom they will mate and how many chohachy they will mate with. Even though she will not admit it to me, I am certain Norotha knows who my chorotha is." By this time, because of the fact that wild dangerous animals would prowl the "streets" of Talo-Vy after nightfall, it was too dark to remain outside safely. Rora and I went back inside, talked with his mother for a short while, and headed off to our respective rooms. Tonight, as had been the case over the last few nights, I found it difficult to fall asleep. I had a lot on my mind, to be sure, but I just wasn't as sleepy as I had been the first couple of weeks I had been here. However, I did find myself getting sleepy during the day, although I fought it by staying busy assisting Ara. I couldn't understand why and I was determined to find out, sooner or later. Fortunately for me, because of my inability to fall asleep, I didn't have a nightmare that night.